Saturday 26th October2024

Alberobello to Matera

No accidents negotiating the way out of bed overnight, so we were fit and ready to have a sweet delight breakfast around at the corner cafe.

Snuck off for a final walk through the Trulli village, which was already getting busy, before we jumped in a cab for the hour or so trip to Matera.

Seems the farmers have been busy with acre after acre of ploughed fields which look far less rocky than those down south.

Passed through a couple of quite large towns including one hosting a military airfield which is probably where our blitzing jet pilot came from.

Arrived in Matera to be dropped of at what was the wrong gate but boy what a fantastic view of both the Sassi and the valley along which a lot of vacated cave houses were located. There was a touch of Cappadocia about the place.

After a bit of reconnaissance we found we could limit the haul over cobblestones and catch a mini bus to the bottom of the 400 stairs leading to our apartment.

Gave the wheels and handle of our cases a good workout as we clunked our way up the stairs looking for the white gate into  our property.

Got in and found another 20 steep steps onto a huge terrace which like our drop of point gave a magical view. It was perfect as was the oversized , interestingly decorated,  apartment and huge kitchen and dining area. The host had even left enough food to feed an army.

Unpacked and then set off on a tour around town, where going uphill on more stairs and then going down on flat surfaces was the order of the day. As usual churches dominated the scene. Although grand palaces and residences converted into luxury hotels were not far behind. The local Archbishop’s digs were pretty impressive.

The cafes and restaurants were abundant and adding ‘taxes’ for service,views, music and proximity to landmarks into menu prices. Struck an interesting banner outside on restaurant.

Crowds were modest and spruikers were doing their best to entice customers into every sort of outlet. Not as many were closed as other towns, so presuming Matera, supposedly the 3rd oldest city in the world, enjoys tourist trade year round. Think the 3rd oldest might be a bit like the ‘ Marco Polo was born here’ claims.

Stopped for lunch in a small square and watched a young guy trying the impossible in Italy- getting passer by Italians to eat pizza with pineapple on top. Even the local Carbinieri passed up a free meal.

Had the biggest glass of beer on tour with lunch before we headed for the main square looking for the Tourist Information. Foolish move at 230 –  it was closed for siesta between 130 and 330. 

Sat around for a while watching the world go by including the worlds worst street performer – a guy pretending to be a Transformer- who got no donations in 30 minutes and packed up, probably looking for an audience more appreciative of his talents.

Back at TI and found out getting from the accommodation to a train station on Tuesday will be complicated and costly, plus being another test of the luggage wheels. It was homework for later in the day to organise.

A bit more touring and taking in the history, plus a little bit of Xmas decoration shopping and search for a laundromat consumed most of the afternoon- well a little siesta of our own was included.

Dinner was all uphill,figuratively speaking, as we trod the stairs to the church square and enjoyed a typical Matera dinner. No €50 fish, but soup was €15.

All washed down with some nice wine and a comfortable downhill walk to the accommodation. The view by night was even more spectacular – as the locals say ‘ its like stars under your feet’.

Worked out all travel until the end of trip, just got to hope Italian trains run on time.

Only thing about tomorrow is Summer Time is over and we get an extra hours sleep.